This journalist profile is part of Journalism and COVID-19: The Toll of a Pandemic, PEN America’s project covering the toll of the coronavirus crisis on the journalism industry in the United States. Our hearts go out to the family members and friends of the journalists lost during the pandemic.
Name: Virginia “Ginny” Frizzi
Age: 66
Died: June 1, 2020
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Work History:1Joshua Axelrod, “Obituary: Ginny Frizzi was a ‘giant’ of the Pittsburgh journalism community” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 4, 2020.
- Media Relations Director, Point Park University
- President, Women’s Press Club of Pittsburgh
- President, The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
- President, Press Club of Western Pennsylvania
- Board Member, Press Club of Western Pennsylvania
- Faculty Member, SPJ’s Ted Scripps Leadership Workshop and SPJ writing workshops
- Freelancer, Majesty Magazine
- Reporter, The Coraopolis Record
Selected Remembrances:
“If there was an activity for journalists in Pittsburgh, it seems like Ginny was always involved with it. To me, someone who grew up knowing I wanted to be a journalist and seeing someone so committed to the profession, it was something I always respected and admired.”
—Raymond “Bernie” Ankney, Dean, Point Park University’s School of Communication [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
“I don’t know as many people who are as ardent and passionate about their chosen careers as she was. I think the best way we can honor her is to rededicate ourselves to that work.”
—Helen Fallon, Journalism Professor, Point Park University [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]
“As a past president, her continued support of the club, its mission and scholarship was very meaningful. . . She will be greatly missed by all of us.”
—Stacey Federoff, President, Women’s Press Club of Pittsburgh [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
“She was smart. She was very news-oriented, a news hound. She was into history. She was fun. She had a really good memory for things. We’re just going to miss her.”
—Eva Frizzi, sister of Ginny Frizzi [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
“It’s like Ginny has always been there with us, as friends and [in] all the circles we’ve walked in and traveled in throughout Pittsburgh. No matter where all of us have been, Ginny was part of all of that.”
—Rosemary Martinelli, Secretary, Press Club of Western Pennsylvania [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
“Ginny, for all of her dedication and hard work, was an unassuming person. Ginny was the person who. . . made things happen, but she wouldn’t seek or step into the spotlight. She was that person you turned to when important things needed to get done and recruited and inspired people to get things done.”
—Bob Mayo, Reporter, WTAE-TV [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
“You couldn’t attend a journalism event in the city without Ginny being there or being involved in the planning and execution. Her passing leaves a huge void in our community.”
—Richard Monti, Media Consultant, Trib Total Media [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]
“She was always in the leadership somewhere. If she said she could help with something, you knew that was a person you could count on. She always followed through and showed a lot of leadership in every organization she was a part of. She was really devoted to supporting journalism and journalists.”
—Maggie Patterson, Acting President, The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
“Journalism lost a bit of its heart, soul and conscience with the passing of Ginny Frizzi.”
—Bill Schackner, Higher Education Writer, Pittsburgh Post Gazette [Twitter]
Selected Work (via newspapers.com):
“‘Fantasticks’ history gives moments worth remembering” The Pittsburgh Press, January 14, 1992.
“When it comes to listing classic American musicals, ‘The Fantasticks’ is bound to be included for at least one reason, it is the longest-running production in the American theater, having opened at the Sullivan Theater in Greenwich Village in 1960.”
“Baker’s ‘Cellar’ filled with germs” The Pittsburgh Press, March 3, 1991.
“Russel Baker fans, rejoice.
“‘There’s a Country in my Cellar,’ the latest collection of his New York Times ‘Observer’ columns, is a gem.”
“‘The Great Alone’ takes look at Alaska’s forgotten past” The Pittsburgh Press, August 3, 1986.
“When most Americans think of how their country was settled, many visions spring to mind — the Pilgrims’ landing at Plymouth Rock, the Lewis and Clark expedition, the 1849 Gold Rush or the Sooners rushing onto the Oklahoma plains.
“Few, if any, are likely to think of the Russians who settled in Alaska and, eventually, portions of northern California.”
“Novelist offers a bit of Americana” The Pittsburgh Press, March 2, 1985.
“Love, change and growing up are common themes contained in many novels.
“In ‘Cold Sassy Tree,’ such themes are present but explored in an uncommonly delightful — and memorable — way.”
“Novel includes touch of Pittsburgh” The Pittsburgh Press, October 15, 1983.
“It’s often been observed that a person should be careful of what he wishes for, since that wish might be granted. And if he doesn’t really understand or appreciate the essence of his wish, he might as well not possess it all.
“This bit of philosophy pretty well sums up the life of Richard Durgin, the mian character of ‘Lusts,’ a novel by Clark Blaise.”